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Dukkha = frustration?

I've been reading a book called Missing Out: In Praise of the Unlived Life by Adam Phillips, who is a psychoanalyst. He talks about "frustration," and the way he describes makes a good parallel with dukkha:

"there are (at least) four kinds of frustration: the frustration of being deprived of something that has never existed; the frustration of being deprived of something one has never had (whether or not it exists); the frustration of being deprived of something one has had; and, finally, the frustration of being deprived of something one once had, but canít have again."

Thanks for sharing, Kirk. This is a very powerful little quote. In the end, the one that is being "deprived" perhaps is nothing more than a story or fantasy that never existed in the first place? Just speaking from my own experience.

Thanks for sharing, Kirk. This is a very powerful little quote. In the end, the one that is being "deprived" perhaps is nothing more than a story or fantasy that never existed in the first place? Just speaking from my own experience.

Gassho,
Joyo

Yes, that's exactly what the book is about, as I said above on another reply.

More than merely "frustration" (although that too), Dukkha is the angst, dissatisfaction, divisions and frictions between the endless ways we would wish things to be and this self-life-world as it is.

Gassho, J

Thank you for this, Jundo. I know, for myself, I have been much more aware of m own frictions between the endless wishing. I have likened it to scratching my nails on a huge rock, desperately trying to move it, not realizing that behind me is a beautiful valley full of wonder and life.

Thank you for this, Jundo. I know, for myself, I have been much more aware of m own frictions between the endless wishing. I have likened it to scratching my nails on a huge rock, desperately trying to move it, not realizing that behind me is a beautiful valley full of wonder and life.

I've been reading a book called Missing Out: In Praise of the Unlived Life by Adam Phillips, who is a psychoanalyst. He talks about "frustration," and the way he describes makes a good parallel with dukkha:

"there are (at least) four kinds of frustration: the frustration of being deprived of something that has never existed; the frustration of being deprived of something one has never had (whether or not it exists); the frustration of being deprived of something one has had; and, finally, the frustration of being deprived of something one once had, but can’t have again."

Gassho,

Kirk

I listened to a podcast interview with the author, and the book seemed really interesting. When I got it from the library however, I just could not get into it. It was too theoretical for me; I was expecting case studies from the author's clients, or something closer to real life experience. I guess the basic idea was well summarized in the interview, good enough.